Ingredients
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup sugar
3 tbsp butter or shortening
1 tablespoon milk
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2-3 tbsp water, if needed
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350F and butter some cookie sheets. Heat the molasses to the boiling point, then add the sugar, butter, or shortening, and milk. Mix the flour with the baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Add the first mixture and blend well. Add the water if necessary, enough so that the dough holds together and handles easily. On a very lightly floured surface, roll or pat out the dough about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into large or small gingerbread men, using a cookie cutter or very sharp knife. Bake for 5-7 minutes. When cool, frost with Confectioners' Frosting, and decorate with candies, raisins, or bits of citron.
Confectioners' Frosting
You can give this sweet frosting different flavors by substituting the same amount of hot coffee, lemon juice, or orange juice for the hot water. Or substitute one teaspoon of vanilla for the hot water. For a fine creamy consistency, be sure to beat the frosting very well.
3 tbsp hot water
About 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
Put the hot water in a small bowl and beat in the confectioners' sugar until the frosting is thick enough to spread. Continue to beat for several minutes until very creamy. This will be enough frosting for an 8-inch two-layer cake.
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup sugar
3 tbsp butter or shortening
1 tablespoon milk
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2-3 tbsp water, if needed
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350F and butter some cookie sheets. Heat the molasses to the boiling point, then add the sugar, butter, or shortening, and milk. Mix the flour with the baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Add the first mixture and blend well. Add the water if necessary, enough so that the dough holds together and handles easily. On a very lightly floured surface, roll or pat out the dough about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into large or small gingerbread men, using a cookie cutter or very sharp knife. Bake for 5-7 minutes. When cool, frost with Confectioners' Frosting, and decorate with candies, raisins, or bits of citron.
Confectioners' Frosting
You can give this sweet frosting different flavors by substituting the same amount of hot coffee, lemon juice, or orange juice for the hot water. Or substitute one teaspoon of vanilla for the hot water. For a fine creamy consistency, be sure to beat the frosting very well.
3 tbsp hot water
About 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
Put the hot water in a small bowl and beat in the confectioners' sugar until the frosting is thick enough to spread. Continue to beat for several minutes until very creamy. This will be enough frosting for an 8-inch two-layer cake.
